1001 Albums Summary

Disclaimer: listened on vinyl. Specifically, the 2LP deluxe version with a second disc of demos. A fitting first album. This one has a lot going for it, personally speaking. It's the second CD I ever bought with my own money (first one being Master of Puppets by Metallica). It's my second-favorite Beatles album after Abbey Road, although to be fair, those two are at a constant neck-and-neck with each other. And, perhaps above everything else, it's one of my favorite albums of all time. This album at this point in my life is the equivalent of Ol' Faithful, or perhaps similar to a warm blanket or a favorite hoodie: familiar and comfortable. But back when I first heard it in high school, it was mind-blowing; still very much is to this day. From the psychedelic landscapes of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" to the old-timey feel of "When I'm Sixty-Four" down to the sitars on "Within You Without You", this album goes places. Places common today in music, but groundbreaking in 1967. My personal favorite song on here is "A Day in the Life", a fitting finale for the album, ending on a triumphant note with four pianos making a single, striking chord. In closing, this album is a timeless classic. If you haven't heard it yet, what are you doing? Go listen!

Excellent concept, although very much of it’s time.